With the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Washburn, the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are declaring their 3rd annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration—which spread throughout central Aroostook County and was held between Oct. 18 and 25—a big success. All activities helped to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. Combined efforts among the clubs helped to raise an estimated $2,600 for that global effort.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s very own, and first-ever student Distinguished Lecturer, Ghazaleh “Oz” Sailors will serve as the next speaker in the 2014-2015 Distinguished Lecturer Series on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m., in the Campus Center. Sailors will deliver her talk, Breaking Barriers and Chasing Dreams. Her talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend this special event.

Several students in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Business Program had their first experience giving a presentation before a group of professional CPAs, attorneys, insurance brokers and financial advisors when they participated in the Aroostook County Tax Seminar held at UMPI on Oct. 31.

Travelling back in time from the year 2113, the futuristic comedy improv group Octavarius will take the stage at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. The way the group presents it, the galaxy is in danger—an evil mythical cyborg octopus is leading the invasion—and the audience’s help is needed to save it. Through interactive improv, games, scenes, songs, and audience participation, Octavarius will generate enough laughter and friendship to save the future. This show, rated PG-13, is free and open to the public.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle, in partnership with Cary Medical Center and the Siruno Stroke Education Center, will present Dr. Joel Fuhrman—the best-selling author and internationally recognized expert on nutrition and natural healing—as the next speaker in its 2014-2015 Distinguished Lecturer Series. Dr. Fuhrman will deliver his talk on Preventing and Reversing Disease through Nutritional and Natural Methods on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center. His talk is free and the public is invited to be a part of this special evening.

Purple Pinkie Project to raise funds for polio eradication

The University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Presque Isle Rotary Club are joining forces to host their Third Annual World Polio Day and Purple Pinkie Project celebration and this year, with the help of the Rotary Clubs in Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Limestone and Washburn, the celebration is going to spread throughout central Aroostook County. A slate of activities will take place between Oct. 18 and Oct. 26 to celebrate World Polio Day, which takes place Oct. 24. All activities are meant to raise awareness of Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide and to raise money — $1 at a time – to go toward that global effort.